Flores quake kills dozens, displaces over 100,000; aid efforts continue

Kupang — A powerful magnitude 7.7–7.8 earthquake struck off Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on 15 August 2026, killing dozens and displacing tens of thousands of people, according to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and international reports. As of late August, official tallies from BNPB cited by multiple outlets put the death toll between 83 and 105 and injuries at around 986, with more than 110,000 people displaced across several regencies on Flores.

No independently verifiable data support a figure of 135 deaths and 1,105 injuries or an aid handover by the state news agency on 10 September.

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that the shallow tectonic quake struck at 05:58 WITA (UTC+8), with its epicentre offshore near Nagekeo Regency, about 68 kilometres north-northwest of Ende. The shaking was felt strongly across Flores and parts of the surrounding islands, prompting a tsunami warning that was later lifted. BMKG and BNPB data indicated thousands of aftershocks in the weeks following the main event.

Confirmed casualty and displacement figures

Casualty figures rose steadily in the days after the quake as search and rescue operations continued across damaged towns and ports, including Maumere in Sikka Regency. According to an update from BNPB cited by a national news outlet on 21 August, the official death toll had reached 83, with 986 injuries and 110,785 displaced people. Subsequent reporting later in August noted the toll had climbed to 105 deaths while nearly 180,000 people remained in temporary shelters across seven regencies on Flores.

Earlier assessments from humanitarian organisations using preliminary BNPB data reported at least 53 deaths and around 135 injuries, as well as more than 11,000 displaced people. International wire coverage on 17 August described roughly 12,800 people unable to return home by Monday morning, dispersed among several towns on Flores. These differences reflect a rapidly evolving situation rather than conflicting baselines, with later BNPB figures superseding initial counts.

Relief efforts and ongoing response

Government ministries, church networks and civil society organisations have mobilised aid for communities affected by the earthquake across Flores. Caritas Indonesia reported deploying teams through diocesan networks to priority areas including Nagekeo, Ngada, Ende, Sikka, Manggarai and West Manggarai, coordinating with BNPB and local disaster agencies. A humanitarian alliance note described local partners providing emergency shelter, food and psychosocial support as assessments continued.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Manpower announced assistance under the Kemnaker Peduli programme, combining donated funds from ministry staff with basic-needs packages and cash envelopes for affected households. These distributions formed part of a broader government response that also included support for damaged housing, infrastructure and ports.

BMKG stated on 21 August that more than 4,200 aftershocks had been recorded, 118 of which were felt by residents and 31 above magnitude 5.0. By mid-September, the agency reported that aftershocks had entered a significant decay phase, allowing authorities to focus more heavily on recovery planning and detailed field surveys to guide reconstruction.

Current picture for Flores

The confirmed picture from multiple independent sources shows a devastating but still evolving disaster: a major offshore quake, dozens of fatalities, close to a thousand injuries and well over 100,000 people displaced across Flores Island. Official casualty figures beyond late August have not yet been consolidated in publicly accessible reporting, and detailed breakdowns by district remain limited. Relief operations led by government agencies, church networks and humanitarian organisations continue to address immediate needs while longer-term recovery plans are developed.

Sources

• Wikipedia – 2026 Flores earthquake
• ACT Alliance Alert Note – Indonesia Earthquake August 2026
• Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) – Flores Earthquake: PBV Joins Local Partner in Emergency Relief Efforts
• The Guardian – Powerful earthquake kills dozens in eastern Indonesia
• Tempo.co – NTT Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 83, Displaces 110,785
• The Jakarta Post – Prabowo visits NTT as quake death toll reaches 105
• The Daily Star – Nearly 13000 displaced after deadly Indonesian quake
• Vatican News – Caritas Indonesia mobilizes in response to Flores earthquake
• Independent Observer – Flores Aftershocks Subside, BMKG Unveils Field Survey to Guide Recovery
• Metro TV News – Government Continues Sent Aid to Flores Earthquake Affected Residents